ROY KEANE HAS suggested young footballers have too many distractions these days and has told them to throw their mobile phones in the bin.

Speaking to schoolchildren in Northern Ireland, the Ireland assistant boss said kids should “climb trees” instead of getting too obsessed with modern technology.

At an event organised by ex-Man United reserve player Pat McGibbon, Keane told the children: “You’ve got to enjoy it.

If you’re not enjoying it there’s something drastically wrong. And if you want to become good at any sport… soccer, hurling, basketball, boxing, unless you really love something it’s hard to become really good at it, so enjoy it.

“Throw them (mobile phones) in the bin, throw them in the bin. Play football, practice.

“Kick the ball against the wall, play with your mates. Kids don’t climb trees anymore. So that’s my advice to you, enjoy football and climb trees.”

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Watch the full video here.

h/t BBC Sport

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